The Los Angeles Board of Water and Power Commissioners postponed a decision Tuesday on a $700,000 private security contract for the department’s general manager after Mayor Karen Bass requested a more cost-effective approach.
“The mayor called last night, we had a discussion about this, and the mayor made it very clear that she would like to see a much, much less expensive contract than the one that we have before us,” Board President Richard Katz said.
According to Katz, the department will wait two weeks for more quotes to come in or possibly re-negotiate services with Pinkerton Consulting and Investigations, Inc., a company specializing in protection of executives or key personnel.
The five-member board was slated to vote on a one-year contract with Pinkerton for security services.
According to a utility representative, DWP CEO and Chief Engineer Janisse Quiñones received “numerous threats” related to the Palisades fire.
DWP is facing lawsuits and criticism over its response to the wildfire that erupted on Jan. 7.
Residents of Pacific Palisades blamed widespread devastation on low water pressure in some fire hydrants and a reservoir that remained empty for nearly a year, which officials said awaited repairs.
In response to questions about the nature of the threats, DWP officials referred answers to the Los Angeles Police Department.
In response to a City News Service inquiry, the LAPD’s Media Relations Division stated in an email, “Please contact the PIO for DWP. We do not have that information.”
The utility confirmed Quiñones had a security guard drawn from the ranks of Los Angeles World Airport officers and later LAPD sworn personnel.
The LAPD provided security teams for former Fire Chief Kristin Crowley and Police Chief Jim McDonnell during fire emergencies.
City Council members and Mayor Bass confirmed Quiñones as the head of DWP in May 2024 with a salary of $750,000.
Quiñones’ salary is funded through department revenues and does not affect the city’s general fund.
Elected officials approved the $750,000 salary to remain competitive with private and public agencies. Quiñones’ salary is similar to those at the Omaha Public Power District in Nebraska and the Sacramento Municipal Utility District.
Quiñones previously served as a senior executive for Pacific Gas and Electric Company. She was a member of the U.S. Coast Guard and currently serves as an active reserve officer. The DWP CEO held key leadership roles at Cobra Energy, including vice president of operations, and was responsible for the restoration of electrical systems in Puerto Rico following Hurricane Maria.